DISMAYED at Tuesday’s fire in a Gazipur composite textile mill that
claimed seven lives, ILO has observed that enough has not been done to
ensure safety of workers in Bangladesh garment factories.
Given the history of our tragedy-stricken garment industry that lost hundreds of workers’ lives in a series of accidents, this latest incident of fire is one too many. Obviously, it will be hard to convince anyone that the factory in question maintained necessary building and fire safety standards as claimed by its owner.
Clearly, the international image of our garment industry may have received yet another jolt. It has put under scrutiny the post-Rana Plaza international collaborative effort undertaken in partnership with UN to improve workers’ safety through implementing fire and building safety measures.
The factory owners and the government should take note of the concern expressed by ILO. They need to take stock of the progress already made and take a renewed effort with vigour to improve working conditions, strengthen labour inspection and upgrade building and fire safety in all garment factories. Mounting a strong inspection and monitoring mechanism to keep tabs on the progress made is essential.
The garment owners, especially the apex body, BGMEA, and the government must face facts and try their utmost to present a brighter image to the world at large than it has at the moment.
Given the history of our tragedy-stricken garment industry that lost hundreds of workers’ lives in a series of accidents, this latest incident of fire is one too many. Obviously, it will be hard to convince anyone that the factory in question maintained necessary building and fire safety standards as claimed by its owner.
Clearly, the international image of our garment industry may have received yet another jolt. It has put under scrutiny the post-Rana Plaza international collaborative effort undertaken in partnership with UN to improve workers’ safety through implementing fire and building safety measures.
The factory owners and the government should take note of the concern expressed by ILO. They need to take stock of the progress already made and take a renewed effort with vigour to improve working conditions, strengthen labour inspection and upgrade building and fire safety in all garment factories. Mounting a strong inspection and monitoring mechanism to keep tabs on the progress made is essential.
The garment owners, especially the apex body, BGMEA, and the government must face facts and try their utmost to present a brighter image to the world at large than it has at the moment.
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